Sexuality and Relationships

This guide helps women understand how their bodies work and tries to help them take stock of their sexuality. The authors interweave candid reflections from diverse women with current, science-based information, exercises, and advice. You'll find answers to everything from how to have more satisfying sex to questions about body image, anatomy, hormones, relationships, sexual orientation, sexually transmitted infections, and trauma. It is a fairly basic book, written somewhat in the style of Our Bodies, Ourselves but many women find it helpful as a first step to thinking about and understanding their sexual selves.

Joannides, P. N. (2004) Guide To Getting It On

This is a favorite! The Guide is a (very, very thick) lively, upbeat, book that covers nearly every element of sexuality in a straightforward, plain-talk, humorous way. It is clearly, aimed at a young, hip audience but nearly everyone would have something to learn from this book. It is, however, extremely explicit both in its pictures and its text and some may find it offensive so caveat emptor.

Hutcherson, Hilda, (2002) What Your Mother Never Told You About Sex

This book is an excellent guide and outline for women in heterosexual relationships. It covers basic anatomy, different forms of sexual pleasuring and includes ideas to make sex more interesting. It also gives an overview of the typical life stages a woman might experience and the challenges sex may pose during each . While fairly explicit it is understated and more conservative than other sex books and it is the book I most often use with my religious patients.

Berman, Laura (2010) Real Sex for Real Women

If you would like a book which is heavier on pictures than words and full of short, practical advice, than this might be the book for you. It’s not profound and sticks to the basics of heterosexual sex but it gives some good practical suggestions and it could be helpful for a couple to read together as the pictures are attractive but not pornographic.

If you are looking for a book that was written specifically for Orthodox Jews, then this might well be the book for you. The authors address many of the issues raised in the other books listed, and answer many of the same questions. However, they do it from a perspective of an observant Jew and they tackle some of the halakhic issues that might be of concern. The do so honestly, directly and sensitively. This book is not as comprehensive as the other books listed so you might want to consider acquiring it as a companion text to one of the others.

CKTT

Chatan and Kallah Teacher Training. Formerly the Kallah Teachers Workshop, this is your resource for hilkot niddah and finding someone to be your Kallah teacher or chatan teacher. This program is brought to you by the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, Yeshivat Maharat, and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School.